Premium Members Eric Fletcher S.O.C. Posted June 18, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 18, 2004 Now, The Alien Revolution... If you get the chance, try it. The few of us that tried it yesterday were a bit awed by it. There is a learning curve on it but once you get it, wow. As we all took turns trying it like kids in line at a water slide my mind was racing through dozens of applications for its use. Going from Hi to Lo mode in shot is the tip of the iceberg and I dont think that that is the best part. Imagine never having to think about you horizon again. Anyway I could go on but this is Eric Fletchers baby and maybe he is right to keep it low profile until he feels its completely ready. I might start saving my pennies now... Chad Persons Thanks for the Kind words Chad and I'm glad that you liked everything. I'd just like to clarify one thing. Howard Smith and MK-V Build the Alien Revolution And Lynn Nicholson Licenses some of the technology for it. I just wanted to clear that up it's Howards and Lynn's Baby, I'm just Helping to bring it up. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulSommers Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 Has anyone purchased one of these to use on the steadicam? If so how did you mount the monitor on the rig? What kind of cable did you use? Are you happy? Pictures? Paul Sommers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Davis Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 Hummingbird inputs: 4-pos XLR for power BNC for video - 75ohm http://www.imp-electronics.co.uk/hummingbi...sic_monitor.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JamieSilverstein Posted July 30, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 30, 2004 Paul; I have yet to buy a Hummingbird, but I have had it on my rig and played with it. It is pretty great for an LCD. I have several concerns about it however. 1) the model that I tested flickered when it was not at full power/brightness. I was told that Imp was working on that problem. 2) there is no standby switch, and the wait time between power off to on is pretty long. I am not sure that Imp is going to do anything about that. 3) Finally, I am in the US and I am somewhat concerned about purchasing a monitor from Europe........ It has nothing to do with the quality of the product or the origin, but the ability to easily ship and repair in a timely fashion. In the US, I can get my monitor to my vendor to fix and have them ship me a loaner in 1 day. With customs, security, etc. on both ends of the shipment, I am more hesitant. ZGC is selling the Hummingbird in the US, but they are not involved with the Steadicam market as of yet. I am hoping that Imp, Mk-V and ZGC can work out an arrangement so that all monitors honored where ever they are purchased by the seperate vendors. If you are in the UK however, go over and see the monitor at MK-V. I think that you'll agree that it is heads and shoulders above the run of the mill LCD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Howard J Smith Posted July 31, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 31, 2004 Hi Jamie How are you? In answer to you questions: 1. - This is no longer a problem - we sorted this a while ago on the MK-V version. 2. - This is also being addressed and the boot time will be much shorter. 3. - We have next day to the US anywhere - I ship sleds and monitors all the time and they are there am next day. But I take your point this is why there will be spare monitors placed in the US (East and West coast) for demos and loaners. I hope this answers your questions and I look forward to seeing you soon All the best Howard J Smith MK-V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JamieSilverstein Posted September 30, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 30, 2004 I have been taking to Guy Genin from ZGC (the people who bring you Cooke Lenses in the US) who has informed me that ZGC is now a distributor for the Hummingbird and the BlackBird. He asked to to poll the East Coasters in the Forum to see if we would like to have another get together to take a look at the monitor. So here I go! Anyone interested in and available to get together and see the monitor in the next several weeks? He is interested in getting as many operators together as possible, so let me know, or BETTER YET........ call him directly at 973 335-4460. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Howard J Smith Posted September 30, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 30, 2004 Hi Jamie How are you? ZGC are also the dealers for the special 'Steadicam' MK-V/Hummingird - If you would like to see it please see www.mk-v.com We will have some units to test over on the east very soon. ( and with ZGC) - I will try and get one for your demos if you would like. If you have any questions please email me or info@mk-v.com many thanks Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Williams Posted October 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2004 I still have some Steadicam Adapters for the Std. Hummingbird monitor if you decide you want to use one. TJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Louis Puli SOC Posted October 4, 2004 Moderators Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 I have been taking to Guy Genin from ZGC (the people who bring you Cooke Lenses in the US)who has informed me that ZGC is now a distributor for the Hummingbird and the BlackBird. He asked to to poll the East Coasters in the Forum to see if we would like to have another get together to take a look at the monitor. So here I go! Anyone interested in and available to get together and see the monitor in the next several weeks? He is interested in getting as many operators together as possible, so let me know, or BETTER YET........ call him directly at 973 335-4460. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi everyone Apart from the Humming bird and the Blackbird It would be great if the steadicam guild could have a night with all the other LCD monitors side by side inc the Transvideo 6"cinemonitor ,Teletest, the panasonic Hd ,The ERG HD/SDI and the Ultra Brute and any other Monitor as well for that matter . What do you think Dave ,Dan ?? Why is everyone talking up the Hummingbird Yes it may be a great LCD monitor but it can n't view HD I am finding more jobs down here are going HD then 16mm these days I have been looking at buying a LCD's for some time now If and when I go LCD it will have to be switchable std/HD just my 2 cents on the subject Louis Puli Down under Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JamieSilverstein Posted October 4, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Louis; I have been on an HD show for the past 6 months ("Rescue Me"), and I have used my Transvideo on it very successfully for that time. I guess the importance or value of the Blackbird/Hummingbird is the quality of picture at a price that is affordable. The real criticism I have of my Transvideo is that I am constantly working around the brightness/contrast issue. With the Hummingbird, I don't have to fiddle to get the angle where I want/ need it to see the shot. So if it means using a down converter with the monitor and getting a great picture or not using a downconverter and getting the same old LCD image, I think I'll opt for the down convert. Until someone comes out with a monitor that is as bright and affordable for HD work, I think I'll keep waiting for the Blackbird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Louis Puli SOC Posted October 5, 2004 Moderators Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 Louis;I have been on an HD show for the past 6 months ("Rescue Me"), and I have used my Transvideo on it very successfully for that time. I guess the importance or value of the Blackbird/Hummingbird is the quality of picture at a price that is affordable. The real criticism I have of my Transvideo is that I am constantly working around the brightness/contrast issue. With the Hummingbird, I don't have to fiddle to get the angle where I want/ need it to see the shot. So if it means using a down converter with the monitor and getting a great picture or not using a downconverter and getting the same old LCD image, I think I'll opt for the down convert. Until someone comes out with a monitor that is as bright and affordable for HD work, I think I'll keep waiting for the Blackbird. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> For the price they want for the hummingbird for just a little more you can buy a TB6 . At the end of the day I know which one I would go with. I have been told the ERG LCD monitors are also very good Is any one useing it on there rigs just my 2 cents worth Louis Puli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JamieSilverstein Posted October 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 I just wanted to update everyone on the visit from a Hummingbird that I had last summer. Guy Genin of ZGC came by early in the summer with a Hummingbird classic monitor. As I reported then, I was impressed with the quality of the picture, but had some reservations and wished certain things could be changed about the monitor about spending over $3000.00 Guy recently came back to me with a new and improved monitor, incorporating some of the changes that I suggested. The Blackbird. The differences between the two are that the Blackbird has a PRO connector on the back so that I can come directly out of my sled or XCS level and not have to adapt to an XLR and BNC split cable. It also has the BNC/XLR option for those of you who prefer that option. The Blackbird also has a frameline generator built in, which is a good quality frameline, which does not tear, and is easily adjustable. The picture inside the monitor is great. I shoot an HD project for A&E monthly, and this month I didn't need to think about a sun shade, repositioning or image degradation, which is what I did with my old LCD . The Blackbird is a bright and contrasty monitor. And I am talking about Bright and contrasty in the middle of a sunny day. On my particular model, there are push buttons that control the menus. I must admit that it took me about 1/2 an hour to get used to the menus and buttons (I am a knob kind of guy), but once I got the hang of it, I had no trouble getting the controls to do what I wanted them to do, and quickly. The Blackbird is more expensive than the original Hummingbird, but I have to admit that I like the additions and I think that they are worth the extra $$$. I have sent ZGC my check and I am now officially a proud owner of the monitor. After defiantly struggling with LCDs for 4 or 5 years (since I sold my Masters and the green screen), I can honestly say that the day has come where there is a reasonably priced LCD monitor that provides a good quality picture. Howard Smith has modified the Blackbird even more for those especially button challenged, but I think that both the button version and the knob version are great, and I believe that Howards version is more expensive. Check both of them out for yourself and decide which is best for you at the price you want to spend. The most encouraging thing about both of them is that you can now get a good image at a more affordable price. So talk to Howard in Europe or ZGC in the US and decide for yourself. There is some pretty amazing equipment being made out there and the research and development coming out of places like XCS, PRO, MK-V, IMP, and Tiffen just to mention a few ( and please don't castigate me for leaving out any others) is staggering. My hat is off to all of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Stephen Murphy Posted October 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 Jamie, What are the differences between the regular Blackbird and the MK-V version? Did ZGC mention anything about being able to deal with HD-SDI? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Thomas English Posted October 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 I chatted to the IMP people a little ago. She said that soon their monitors will be able to accept an HD (not SDI) signal as well. It won t be an HD picture (not enough pixels) but you won t need a Down converter..... Although your transmiter wont work anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Andre Trudel Posted October 26, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 Hi Howard, I live in Southern California. Where can I see the monitor? I also need to upgrade my Efp sled and was wondering if you or a representative of MK-V where going to be in the area any time soon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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